I FIND it extraordinary that Councillor Richard Watson states "the question of these trees has nothing at all to do with any other planning application in the area".

It was actually the planning consultant of the would-be developers who specifically requested a further report on the trees because he did not accept the council's original independent verdict which stated that the trees were, in fact, healthy.

This suggests that they were determined to get rid of these trees at any cost and council officers should have realised it.

If the tree-felling was unconnected with development, why do the indicative plans show a very large block of flats and a road where the trees once stood?

I think we should be told!

Mary Urmston

Fulford Park,

York.

Updated: 09:47 Friday, October 15, 2004